Moorpark College participates in the Great CA ShakeOut

Moorpark students gather outside for the scheduled school wide evacuation drill. After the earthquake drill, students evacuated from their classrooms into open spaces. Photo credit: Christina Mehr

By Shahbano Raza
October 28, 2021

In preparation for future earthquakes, students and faculty at Moorpark College participated in The Great California ShakeOut.

The Great CA ShakeOut is an earthquake preparedness drill that schools, companies and other groups across California can partake in. Held on Oct. 21, this drill prepares California residents for how to safely take precautions during and after an earthquake.

The Ventura County Community College District participates in the ShakeOut drill every year. However, as pointed out by Moorpark College President Julius Sokenu, this was the first in-person drill in two years due to COVID-19.

Freshmen Ash Noorzay covers his head as he ducks under a desk in the college library. Immediately following the earthquake drill an evacuation from the building into open space took place.
Freshmen Aidan Skellenger covers his head as he ducks under a desk in the college library. Immediately following the earthquake drill an evacuation from the building into open space took place.

Jennifer Clark, vice president of Business Services, organized the ShakeOut drill on campus. Clark mentioned that the drill had other purposes besides earthquake preparedness.

“It was also a great opportunity for the college to test its brand new Emergency Notification System for the first time and for people on campus to experience what the ENS looks and sounds like,” said Clark.

Students were notified via text and email three days prior to the drill from the VCCCD. The email listed the necessary steps to stay safe during an earthquake, linked Earthquake Country Alliance for more detailed guidelines to follow and gave a preview of how the drill would take place at Moorpark College.

On the day of The Great CA Shakeout, at 10:21 a.m., the school’s ENS voiced the commencement of the drill.

“Attention please, this is an earthquake drill for Moorpark College,” the school’s intercom said. “Please drop, cover and hold on. Take shelter under a doorway or solid desk or table. This is only a drill.”

After taking shelter, students and faculty were prompted by the intercom to evacuate the building and proceed to a designated evacuation area. According to Clark, the ENS has multiple components aside from the intercom system.

“The display monitors in hallways and classrooms as well as text messaging is also part of (the ENS),” said Clark.

Second-year student Claire Boeck was in the Applied Arts office when the drill took place. Boeck felt the drill was helpful because it brought attention to the fact that people should evacuate a building after an earthquake.

“I didn’t even know that we were supposed to evacuate somewhere,” Boeck confessed. “I am thankful I learned that.”

For approximately ten minutes, students and faculty stood in large groups outside campus buildings until given the all-clear to return back inside.

An informational sign sits atop a desk in the Math and Science Center in the Moorpark College Library. It explains the well known "drop, cover, and hold on" instructions to follow during the event of an earthquake.
An informational sign sits atop a desk in the Math and Science Center in the Moorpark College Library. It explains the well known “drop, cover, and hold on” instructions to follow during the event of an earthquake.

These types of drills often remind California residents about The Big One, a hypothetical earthquake of devastating magnitude that is expected to affect areas at and near the San Andreas Fault. First-year student Kim Lank-Patkar is not worried about the Big One.

“There’s always something bad going to happen around the corner,” Lank-Patkar said. “Unless I experience it or some scientist gives me some indication that this is definitely, instead of theoretically, going to happen, I’m not worried.”

Students who are worried about upcoming quakes can sign up to receive emergency text notifications from the VCCCD.

“Text messages are received if the individual (students and employees alike) opt into the system,” said Clark. “There is a link through the MyVCCCD portal to receive emergency text messages.”